Country Netherlands Language Dutch Lyricist(s) Peter de Wijn | Artist(s) Gerard Joling Composer(s) Peter de Wijn Conductor Harry van Hoof | |
"Shangri-La" was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, performed in Dutch by Gerard Joling.
The song is a dramatic ballad, with Joling describing his search for a Shangri-La of his own in life. He contrasts his desire to live in happiness and surrounded by love with the attitude of many in the modern world, which is described as being at least a belief that one does not require love for happiness. In the Dutch Top 40 it peaked at a #20 ranking.
Performance on the Eurovision Song Contest
The song was performed seventh on the night, following Spain's La Década Prodigiosa with "La chica que yo quiero (Made In Spain)" and preceding Israel's Yardena Arazi with "Ben Adam". At the close of voting, it had received 70 points, placing 9th in a field of 21, including two 12 Points scores from Greece and Luxembourg.
It was succeeded as Dutch representative at the 1989 contest by Justine with "Blijf zoals je bent".